South African full back Willie Le Roux will also join Wasps after his spell in Japan finishes

Former England and Lions captain Dean Richards, now boss at Newcastle, said: “The Premiership is the best club competition in the world.

“Top 14 clubs have far more money to throw around but in terms of consistency you get a far better game here — and we look after our players better.”

Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal threatened to rip up Leigh Halfpenny’s contract after the Wales star tore knee ligaments last year and was ruled out for seven months.

Leicester chief Richard Cockerill said: “The French mentality is I’ll pay you big money and I want a big return. There is no interest around player welfare — you are expected to play every week because clubs want their pound of flesh.

JP Pietersen is set for his Leicester debut against Gloucester on Friday

“Our league is getting tougher every year. There are probably at least eight sides looking to get into the play-offs.”

France has no salary cap, unlike in the Premiership, and English clubs have struggled to match their European rivals for cash.

But now players can earn big bucks here, get released for internationals and have a break, the pound is becoming more popular than the euro.

Yet Northampton chief Jim Mallinder insisted: “The style of the Premiership was something Louis Picamoles talked about when choosing to come to us. I’m sure he will enjoy a lot of what the Premiership can bring.”

The former England chief said: “You’ll find more French players will want to start coming over.

“I’ve been out of the Premiership for 16 years so I’m looking forward to this season. Watching the way teams play now and the quality of the foreign players coming through, there is no better product.”